The Art of Learning and Teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology

The Art of Learning
and Teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology

(first published by Massage World Magazine March 2017)

Earle Abrahamson and Jane
Langston

Anatomy
and physiology can inspire teachers and students to encourage discovery and
exploration of what lies beneath the external facade of the human form. But for
those who have yet to master the art of learning, anatomy can instil
uncertainty and doubt, as they struggle to digest and apply principles of
knowledge within, and beyond, the subject matter. Which has been your
experience with anatomy and physiology? Did you learn it to achieve a certain
level of learning, to proudly display your certificate, whilst breathing a sigh
of relief that you will never pull an anatomy book down from the shelf ever
again? Or did you learn anatomy and physiology to give you the fundamental
understanding of the human structure and function which has enabled you to
explore other avenues of study, such as massage, reflexology or aromatherapy?
Are you still familiar with the details that you learned, or is most of it
tucked away in the darkest corners of your brain? As authors of a new text on
learning and teaching anatomy and physiology, we appreciate the journey that therapists
and practitioners travel as they begin and continue their careers. We have
travelled those routes too. Drawn together by a fascination of the human form
and function, and a love of learning and teaching, we worked to discover what
it is we have learned about teaching and learning anatomy and physiology whilst
always striving for new knowledge and skills. We travelled our route to create
a book that taught the reader how to use knowledge to build and retain
understanding, and to empower learning anatomy and physiology and make it fun
and most importantly, memorable.

In
this first article, we ask you to consider your anatomical learning. Is it up
to date? Is it at the correct level of learning for your massage practice? How
can you expand your knowledge? Over a series of articles, we will give you some
study skills tools to help you gain the most from your anatomical studies.

Learn to learn

Learning
anatomy and physiology provides a platform for students and teachers to explore
subject matter in multiple ways. The choice of technology for learning this art
has evolved from reading text to tapping apps on mobile devices or even using
virtual reality software. Technology has made learning anatomy and physiology
become more accessible to many but learning the subject still presents
problems, if fundamental learning skills are not in place.

There
is a wonderful motivational YouTube video, wherein two individuals become stuck
on an escalator, when it stops working. Do search for it. When viewing this
video, the humour of the situation overrides any questions around logic and
problem solving. The video continues to illustrate the frustration,
inconvenience, and anger experienced by individuals in situations when
uncertainty, or unknowing, prevail. The
video ends with commentary explaining that in life some problems are easy to
solve - simply get off the escalator. How easy is it to get off the escalator?
If we move back we realise where we have been; into perhaps the comfortable
space that doesn’t challenge us. If we decide to move forward, we enter a world
of the undiscovered, the new, the challenging; a potentially scary place if we
are not equipped for the challenge. Both
situations have potential for growth and development but it depends where we
choose to be. How safe are we in our attempt to discover the new, to fail, to
learn, to adapt, to develop? Do we choose to return to the world we know, to
comfort ourselves in our knowing, but learning to fear what it is we need to
learn. Anatomy and Physiology has the
potential to be both these worlds and the ticket for the journey to successful
studying is the anatomical toolkit, arming us appropriate power tools for
success; observation, reflection,
activation, repetition and a keen sense of fun.

Observing
Anatomical Subject Matter

Have
you considered using art to embed your anatomical knowledge? In an introductory
lecture on anatomy we encourage students to study and observe the human form through the eyes of others. We term this a “photo
voice” and is a simple visual that depicts the human form painted, sketched,
photographed or sculpted by the great artists to the young child. Each painting,
or visual, tells a story about shape, texture, form, position, proportion, and
life. Students are simply asked to consider each visual and then discuss how
the artist constructed their image based on their anatomical knowledge. Answers
range from intricate study of the human form through dissection of body parts
right down to a child's drawing of a stick figure. What is evident is how each
image explains the use and application of knowing what the human form is. The
child, for example, over emphasises shapes and has limited understanding of
human mechanics depicted through straight lines for limbs, devoid of joints.
For the child, interestingly, the image they see is often the image of a shadow
of the human form. The great artist, in comparison, has mastered how to depict
the human form through use of body alignment, texture and proportioning of
structures in relation to other structures. The artist will have considered the
details of the musculature, and the parameters that limit and shape our
posture.

Next
time you see an image of a human form, take time to consider the anatomy that
lies beneath, and consider the knowledge of anatomy that the artist possessed?
Is it anatomically correct? Are certain muscles causing limbs to be flexed or
extended? Is the torso rotated? Give
yourself points and prizes if you notice anatomical landmarks or positions, and
congratulate yourself if you spot an anatomical error!

Reflecting on Anatomical
Study

We
recognise that we learn better if we are inspired to learn, and if we enjoy the
subject matter. How do we inspire others to appreciate anatomical subject
matter? How do we engage the learner with the learning content so that the
focus is on enjoying the journey rather than using the journey to reach a final
destination i.e. passing examinations?

To
illustrate this idea, it is useful to consider a film or story book you have
seen or read more than once. Each time the film is seen or book read, we learn
to discover new insight, to see the previously unseen, to better appreciate the
content. This enables us to view situations through different lenses. The
studying of anatomy and physiology lend themselves to using new ways of seeing
and doing, to revisit prior knowledge with a more “grown up” and mature
anatomical knowledge. The first time the anatomy and physiology was taught and
learned, it was all new knowledge. Concepts and processes were being embedded,
and once mastered, these became the foundation stones for future building.
Continuing professional development in terms of revisiting some anatomical
concepts allows the subject to be viewed with more mature eyes, and with those
very foundation stones in place. Often students remark that they are surprised
that they didn’t understand this concept the first time around, as it seems
quite simple and basic now. This is because time and experience has allowed
reflection.

Perhaps
take some time to look through your old course notes and text books. Look at
the topics that you enjoyed the least. Do they still hold the same fears and
frustrations? Or, on reflection, do they seem less intimidating? Choose a
different text book to offer a new approach. Enrol in a refresher course in
anatomy and physiology or take a course at a higher level to extend your
learning.

Your
career as a massage therapist or complementary practitioner inspires and motivates
you, so use your “day job” to promote and challenge your anatomical studies.
Reflect on each client; take time to consider their symptoms, medical history
and pathology. Consider which body systems are out of kilter, and what
physiological change is needed to attain equilibrium. Reflect on your choice of
massage technique; which muscles are below the skin you are massaging? Which
arteries, veins and lymphatics are present in that limb? Which ligaments are
supporting the joint that you are mobilising? Which type of joint is it?
Thinking anatomically gives depth to your practice, thus building your
knowledge and therefore your confidence will increase.

Learning Anatomy by
Activation

Anatomy
and physiology is a practical study, one that demands a hands-on approach to
locating, palpating, and examining structure in relation to function. Students
often need helping in navigating this unfamiliar terrain. In our book we have
provided some ideas around practical teaching methods that could be used to
introduce or revise concepts, terms, and applications.

Nicholson
et al (2016) studied the effect of using experiential learning within the
anatomy classroom. Four interactive workshops aimed at embedding the anatomy of
the forearm were offered to students as revision. They could do body painting,
puzzles, clay modelling of the bones and structures or quizzes. The study showed
that learning in this way improved examination performance and self-confidence
and promotes engaged enquiry and deep learning with integration of anatomy into
the real-life clinical context. We recognise that workshops of this nature are
a valuable addition to traditional anatomy learning and teaching in the health
sciences, so utilise creative ways of teaching; palpatory anatomy courses,
painting ceramic models, clay modelling, puzzles, quizzes, role play games,
team games and mnemonics. For visual and kinaesthetic learners, spending time
exploring the details of the cranial and facial bones and painting a ceramic
skull is an exercise in mindfulness, as well as giving them a model to take
home to continue to study.

Repetition, over
and over again

As we continue the Journey of anatomical
learning and teaching, we learn to make sense of what it is we need to know.
The journey is a process through discovery, it enables us to ask questions, to
review understanding, and to test our understanding through application. By
using our new-found knowledge, over and over, we are able to really embed the
understanding into our massage practice, and to hone and refine our anatomy
skills.

To quote the words of the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti;

"There is no end to education. It is not
that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish education. The whole of
life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of
learning."

Our next article will further explore the
creative methods that can be employed to help us remember anatomical detail. We
will share some memorable quizzes, games and activities and explain their
rationale and effects. Learning anatomy is FUN!

References:

Nicholson
et al, BMC Med Educ. 2016; 16: 7

Earle Abrahamson is the Chair of the Massage Training Institution (MTI), elected member
of the massage therapy PSB on the CNHC, Vice-chair of the GCMT, and director at
Hands-on Training, a specialist massage training school in North London. Together
with Jane Langston he authored "Making Sense of Learning Human Anatomy and
Physiology”, Lotus Publishing". He holds the role of senior lecturer in
Sports Therapy at the University of East London. In 2012, Earle was the
recipient of the ICNM outstanding contribution to complementary medicine, and
was awarded an ICNM fellowship in 2013. He was part of the medical team for the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Jane Langston is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical
Science, and

originally
worked in pathology departments in the National Health Service

in
England for over 20 years, which instilled in her a love of anatomy and

physiology.
She has been an Amatsu practitioner since 2000, and is now

managing
director of the multi award winning company, The Amatsu Training School. In
2012, this was awarded the ICNM Best Complementary Medicine Company, and in
2015, Jane was given the ICNM Most Outstanding Contribution to Complementary
Medicine Award.

Further
information on Anatomy and Physiology courses can be found here:

LearnAnatomy

Bespoke Anatomy & Physiology Courses delivered by Earle Abrahamson and Jane Langston, authors of "Making Sense of Learning Human Anatomy and Physiology" published by Lotus Publishing November 2016.
Company Number 10594881